Police need help locating burglary suspect

Published 4:55 pm Monday, November 12, 2012

Police have caught one man and are looking for another man believed to be responsible for breaking into coin boxes at two Niles Township car washes in October.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Derrick Alan Drudge, 31, of Elkhart, Ind., who has a five-count felony warrant out for him.

At about 6 p.m. Oct. 20, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department responded to a burglar alarm at the Fifth Street Laser Wash. Upon arrival, police found a coin-operated device had been broken into. Later that night — around 7:30 p.m. — police witnessed two men attempting to break into another car at Victory Lube on South 11th Street. The men fled, leaving a car and burglary tools behind. A police K-9 unit eventually tracked down one of the suspects, Bryan Lee Garland, 34, of Mishawaka, Ind. Garland was arrested and has since pleaded guilty to damaging property and possession of burglary tools.

Police believe Drudge is hiding somewhere in the Elkhart area. Anyone with information about the case should contact local police or Michiana Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-7867.